Pressure of a gas - quick question.

In summary, the pressure of a gas (assuming temperature is constant) does not depend on the container's surface area as well as its volume. This is because the ideal gas law assumes that the state of the particles is not affected by proximity to any surface. Even though identical volumes can have different surface areas, the collisions per unit of surface area will remain constant, resulting in a constant pressure.
  • #1
realitybugll
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pressure of a gas -- quick question.

Does the pressure of a gas (assuming temperature is constant) depend on the container's surface area as well as its volume? And if so why isn't this factored into the ideal gas law?
 
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  • #2


No, it does not.
 
  • #3


Wouldn't the surface area be directly correlated with the volume?
 
  • #4


The state of the particles is not assumed to be affected by proximity to any surface in the ideal gas law.
 
  • #5


drakkith - Well sure. But I was thinking of how identical volumes can have different surface areas.

Thanks for the responses. I get it now. Even though more collisions will be happening in a volume with a larger surface area, the collisions per unit of surface area will remain constant (and thus so will pressure). Geometrically it makes sense.
 

1. What is the pressure of a gas?

The pressure of a gas is the force exerted by the gas molecules on the walls of its container per unit area. It is measured in units of Pascals (Pa) or atmospheres (atm).

2. How is the pressure of a gas related to its volume?

According to Boyle's Law, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at a constant temperature. This means that as the volume of a gas decreases, its pressure increases, and vice versa.

3. What factors affect the pressure of a gas?

The pressure of a gas is affected by its temperature, volume, and the number of gas molecules present. An increase in temperature or number of gas molecules will result in an increase in pressure, while a decrease in volume will also lead to an increase in pressure.

4. How is the pressure of a gas measured?

The pressure of a gas can be measured using a device called a manometer or a pressure gauge. These instruments typically use a column of liquid to measure the pressure of the gas in units of height, which can then be converted to units of pressure.

5. What happens to the pressure of a gas when it is compressed?

When a gas is compressed, its volume decreases while the number of gas molecules remains constant. This results in an increase in pressure, as the gas molecules have less space to move around and collide with the walls of the container more frequently.

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